Being different does make a difference
Affirmative Counselling for Queer People & other marginalized communities
Diversity and Inclusion: Counselling & Training
Does being different affect emotional health
Living and working in a world that is not always friendly and often discriminatory does not have to mean a life lived in the shadows. In fact, many people, in being a part of a minority, whether gender/ sexuality/ race/ ability or other, and striving against experiences of prejudice, oppression and discrimination, find well-springs of resilience and courage that often help them live brilliant lives extending into all spheres of their lives.
Yet, often, the experience of prejudice, oppression and discrimination is all too real. While for some, like the LGBT(QIA) community, the legal framework is oppressive, and for others, like racial minorities or castes, the social systems in their community may have an all too negative effect. For people with disabilities, often the focus tends to be on the disability itself, or just the opposite of it where one is expected to act as if there is nothing different at all.
While some forms of differences can be hidden, for most the difference is an integral part that is with them everywhere, and consequently, can face these biases anywhere and anytime:
Questions that others do not face are major challenges here. What does one reveal about oneself to others? How much to disclose and to whom? How to look for relationships? Where does one meet others like oneself? How does one access health, education, employment? How does one seek support without feeling obligated?
These experiences can lead to an ongoing unconscious erosion of self-worth while others might have major traumatic events that can be scarring, leading to alienation, unhealthy risk-taking and other possibly unhelpful choices.
Counselling can help root oneself in one's own intrinsic self-worth.
Yet, often, the experience of prejudice, oppression and discrimination is all too real. While for some, like the LGBT(QIA) community, the legal framework is oppressive, and for others, like racial minorities or castes, the social systems in their community may have an all too negative effect. For people with disabilities, often the focus tends to be on the disability itself, or just the opposite of it where one is expected to act as if there is nothing different at all.
While some forms of differences can be hidden, for most the difference is an integral part that is with them everywhere, and consequently, can face these biases anywhere and anytime:
- Rejection and bullying, often starting from home and school,
- Access to education, employment, social spaces etc can be limited or intimidating
- Workplace discrimination, often subtle and indirect, can keep people from fully exploring their capabilities
- Denial of rights, including basics such as medical care etc., have a direct impact on quality of life
Questions that others do not face are major challenges here. What does one reveal about oneself to others? How much to disclose and to whom? How to look for relationships? Where does one meet others like oneself? How does one access health, education, employment? How does one seek support without feeling obligated?
These experiences can lead to an ongoing unconscious erosion of self-worth while others might have major traumatic events that can be scarring, leading to alienation, unhealthy risk-taking and other possibly unhelpful choices.
Counselling can help root oneself in one's own intrinsic self-worth.
WHAT IS AFFIRMATIVE COUNSELLING
At InnerSight, we practice Affirmative Counselling. This includes and is not limited to Queer Affirmative Counselling Practice. (QACP).
Since 2011, we have been a resource for queer studies, inclusion and belonging in India, and have been part of many major community and corporate capability building.
Sexual orientation, gender differences, disability, caste, race and many other aspects have been used to differentiate and discriminate against people. We refute the notion that the difference is what intrinsically causes psychological or emotional issues, and recognize that many of the challenges faced by such clients are are as a result of societal dysfunction, and that living within a dominant culture that is often hostile and pressures the client to conform with a certain norm of life that cannot work for them, is distressing.
We recognize and call out systems of oppression, unique life stressors because of such systems and contextualize our well-being in these structures. We take an approach of encouraging clients to discover and accept themselves, and see that they, as are everybody, constructing their own identity, in the context they find themselves in, and help them make healthier choices, root themselves in their intrinsic self-worth, help find social support and be partners in the quest to make meaning of one's life.
We offer an open, warm and accepting space where clients can experience an affirming and informed environment, in which they can explore themselves.
Since 2011, we have been a resource for queer studies, inclusion and belonging in India, and have been part of many major community and corporate capability building.
Sexual orientation, gender differences, disability, caste, race and many other aspects have been used to differentiate and discriminate against people. We refute the notion that the difference is what intrinsically causes psychological or emotional issues, and recognize that many of the challenges faced by such clients are are as a result of societal dysfunction, and that living within a dominant culture that is often hostile and pressures the client to conform with a certain norm of life that cannot work for them, is distressing.
We recognize and call out systems of oppression, unique life stressors because of such systems and contextualize our well-being in these structures. We take an approach of encouraging clients to discover and accept themselves, and see that they, as are everybody, constructing their own identity, in the context they find themselves in, and help them make healthier choices, root themselves in their intrinsic self-worth, help find social support and be partners in the quest to make meaning of one's life.
We offer an open, warm and accepting space where clients can experience an affirming and informed environment, in which they can explore themselves.
Who is this for
We support individuals, couples, groups and families. We often work with parents and others of the client, and advocate a spirit of acceptance and support. We also work with groups to help develop social support and networks.
While we welcome all people, we also recognize that we may not have the skills to work certain conditions, such as with people requiring counselling services through signing, and will do our best to identify supporting resources or places of referral.
While we welcome all people, we also recognize that we may not have the skills to work certain conditions, such as with people requiring counselling services through signing, and will do our best to identify supporting resources or places of referral.
Diversity and inclusion at the workplace
We are particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We offer workshops, talks, seminars and other formats of interaction on both specific and general diversity topics, with a special focus and expertise on LGBT inclusion. We help facilitate awareness and assimilation of diversity.
We work with organizations to help create Anti-sexual harassment bodies, including Internal Complaints Committees. We work in partnership with our lawyers to help put together clear working guidelines and systems for these needs.
In specific cases where a disability occurs for one person within a group, we also work with the group to sensitize the changing needs and help the group evolve to include the difference and benefit from it.
We work with organizations to help create Anti-sexual harassment bodies, including Internal Complaints Committees. We work in partnership with our lawyers to help put together clear working guidelines and systems for these needs.
In specific cases where a disability occurs for one person within a group, we also work with the group to sensitize the changing needs and help the group evolve to include the difference and benefit from it.
Copyright: 2012, InnerSight Counselling & Training Centre LLP. Phone: +919611405684/ +919980781314 email: [email protected]